Organic Food In Your Community

Chickens are social animals that live together in flocks. They are omnivores who naturally spend their day foraging for food. They will often scratch the soil looking for seeds, insects, clovers, grasses and other vegetation.
Unfortunately, the vast majority of the 50 billion chickens reared annually experience intensive farming methods that take them out of their natural habitat. Chickens naturally live for 6 or more years but under intensive farming methods, chicken raised for meat will live less than 6 weeks before slaughter. Free-range and organic chickens will usually be slaughtered around 8-12 weeks. Chickens farmed for meat are called “broilers” or “fryers” while those farmed for eggs are called egg-laying hens.
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Cows are originally created to roam free and eat grass. With the consumption of more meat worldwide, producers have decided to mass-produce more cows to meet these high demands. The result: grain-fed cows in feedlots. Read More

This Salmon Dragon Bowl is not only made with love but is also packed with vitamins, minerals and nutrients that will keep you happy, healthy and whole! Here’s the breakdown of each ingredient.
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Because what you eat affects how you feel overall, it's important to know how certain foods affect your body. Let us help you get to know the therapeutic and nutritional values of the food you are consuming. Below is the breakdown of one of our more popular winter dishes: Italian Sausage Soup.
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I came across this article as I was sifting through my emails this morning. Often we look at successful people and wonder how they got to where they are. Here are a few valuable tips to help you on your road to success : Read More

"The myth that osteoporosis is caused by calcium deficiency was created to sell dairy products and calcium supplements. There's no truth to it. American women are among the biggest consumers of calcium in the world, and they still have one of the highest levels of osteoporosis in the world. And eating even more dairy products and calcium supplements is not going to change that fact."
--Dr. John McDougall
The McDougall Program for Women (2000)

Here’s my perspective and again it’s just that…and educated perspective, so please share your thoughts below.
The Dairy industry spends $300 million annually on marketing and ‘research’, doctors, dieticians and sponsorships to spread the word “drink milk and you’ll have strong bones”.
Calcium consumption has been so well marketed that North American women are the highest dairy consumers world wide and oddly enough, have the highest rates of osteoporosis.
Maybe not so odd…more like carefully publicized.
Most other parts of the world don’t experience the rates of Osteoporosis and related fractures as North Americans and most other parts of the world are not drinking cows milk…and if they are it’s nothing like the ‘quality’ or lack there of, of generic milk we have here. It’s usually raw or fermented.
Often the high protein diet is blamed for osteoporosis and not milk consumption, however, there’s also protein in dairy…and sugar. Both of these substances leave an acidic state after digestion. How does your body deal with acidity?? Minerals. Minerals are basic and the most available is Calcium and Magnesium stored in our bones and tissues.
My point is, you may be drinking milk (12oz with 11g protein and 18g of sugar) once or multiple times a day, but you’re also eating processed foods and refined sugars. Possibly, to go along with that, a diet too high in animal protein (yeah a 22oz porter house steak is excessive for one meal) chased down by a few beer. You’re maybe not eating enough alkaline forming foods like fresh vegetables and some fruits. You’re likely eating more sodium and condiments than you think while drinking more coffee than should be humanly possible.
Does all of these factors create a situation where the health of your bones should be questioned? Yes. And remember diet is a product of accumulation. So what you have done over the course of your life in repetition adds up.
It’s true that calcium is a very abundant nutrient so we don’t need to stress all that much about getting it, and trust me there’s better sources than grain-fed, antibiotic treated, hormone injected beef commercial farming practices gives us. If you want to find quality dairy, how about even grass fed, free range cow products! Truthfully, getting enough trace minerals is how our bodies deal with calcium intake; properly placing it in the bones and tissues and available enough for balancing the effects of our diet. Logically, exercise, stay hydrated with water, eat whole foods and a clean diet of high quality foods and you won’t have to worry about your bones. Athletes and people under high stress should consider supplementing. Contact me for specific recommendations on trace minerals or for booking a nutrition coaching session.
Eat clean, train mean and stay lean.
Jana Finkbiner, RHN

Not only does Body Energy have impeccable service they also offer the widest selection of products at the lowest possible price – to ensure that healthy lifestyle choices are available and affordable for everyone. I love the fact they carry so many Organic and Natural products making it a one stop shop for all my health needs!
I think the best part of stopping bye Body Energy is their ever so popular Organic Smoothie Bar. They have everything from juices to smoothies and protein shakes to keep you going throughout the day!
If you haven't already, go check out one of their 3 locations in Vancouver. If you don't live in the area they offer Free Expedited Shipping with no minimum order. http://www.bodyenergyclub.com/Davie Street
746 Davie Street
Vancouver, BC V6Z 1B6
Tel.: 604.697.0466
City Square
#2-555 West 12th Ave.
Vancouver, BC V5C 3X7
Tel.: 604.873.9222
Robson Street
428 Robson Street
Vancouver, BC V6B OH3
Tel: 604.559.5667

Add some spirulina to your smoothie today and start reaping the benefits from its array of essential vitamins and minerals.

By Jenny Travens

Blue-green algae may not be a staple in restaurant menus, but many people recognize the health benefits it offers. Spirulina algae or Arthrospira plantes particularly grow in mineral-rich waters and salty waters of South America and Mexico.
These blue-green algae are commonly used as a dietary supplement because of its wide array of essential vitamins and minerals. It is found in the forms of tablets or powder that is sprinkled in food or mixed with your favorite beverage.
The term spirulina is coined from its spiral structure. There are two common species of spirulina that is used for human consumption, namely, Arthrospira plantesis and Arthrospira maxima. Because of its adaptability in freshwater and marine water, these two species are easily cultured in artificial ponds. Some of the known spirulina nutrition facts are listed below.
Protein
Spirulina is composed of at least 60% protein. For instance a 112 g serving of spirulina contains approximately 64 g of protein. Protein is a macro nutrient that is vital in building and repairing tissues and supporting muscle activities. According to National Institute of Health, fifteen percent of the body’s weight is made up of protein making it an essential nutrient for healthy growth.
B-Vitamins
The B-vitamins is a group of water-soluble vitamins that is required in energy production as well as producing red blood cells. Spirulina contains adequate amount of vitamin B3, B6, B9, and B12.

Vitamin B3 or Niacine plays a role in the production of hydrochloric acid that is required for digestive processes.

Vitamin B6 or pyridoxine is involved in breaking down carbohydrates and turning it into energy and maintains a healthy brain functioning.

Vitamin B9 or folic acid (folate) is a micronutrient that aids in cellular growth and regeneration while preventing various conditions such as anemia, fetal deformities, Alzheimer’s disease, and many types of cancers.

Vitamin B12 helps your blood cells and nerves in a good shape. A deficiency of this vitamin may lead to anemia, memory loss, weight loss, and weakness.

Beta-Carotene
Beta-carotene belongs to the carotenoid family that is widely known for its antioxidant properties. The beta-carotene helps protects against cancer and heart diseases, boosts immune system, prevents photosensitivity disorders and improves vision. Beta-carotene is commonly found in fruits and vegetables that are red, orange, and yellow in color. In addition to, beta-carotene is also found in spirulina with about 342 mg for every half cup of dried spirulina.
Essential Fatty acids
Essential fatty acids are commonly referred to as the good fats. However, these fatty acids cannot be synthesized by the human body and so we rely on food that contains them. EFAs main function is the production of prostaglandins that is required for various body functions such as the heart rate, blood pressure, fertility, immune system function. An adequate amount of good fats helps pull out the Low Density Lipoprotein or bad cholesterol and send it to the liver where it is excreted. Spirulina comes with 4% to 7% of essential fatty acids in the form of linoleic and gamma-linoleic acid.
Minerals
Along with vitamins and other nutrients, spirulina is also rich in minerals that are needed for the body’s daily activities. These minerals include Calcium, Potassium, Zinc, Magnesium, Manganese, Selenium, Iron, and Phosporous. Although these minerals offer various benefits for the body, in general they aid in metabolism, water balance and bone health.
Jenny Travens is a chief editor and a wellness coach and fitness blogger for http://www.superfoodliving.com/categories. She loves to share her knowledge about the different ways of staying fit and healthy and helps people to conquer over health related issues and maintain their fitness regime.
Courtesy of Living Green Magazine

MUST READ! Food Additives are scary and can be very addicting. We talk about them in small detail here on our website http://fitnessfoods.ca/food-to-avoid. Here is another article from the Hungry For Change website that I found interesting and thought I should share. We really need to be aware of what we are putting in our bodies (and our children's) and the effects they can have on us!
http://www.hungryforchange.tv/article/top-10-food-additives-to-avoid?